Every U.S. state is designated as first place in some environmental or public health category and 50th in another. Mother Nature Network (MNN) created the infographic to reveal how each state excels or lags in science, nature, public health, or social justice. The comments are worth reading as well because not everyone agrees with MNN’s classifications. The discussions can stimulate thinking about our carbon footprints.

Some of the undefined acronyms are defined here for ease of understanding.

Superfund is the name given to the environmental program established to address abandoned hazardous waste sites.

Dioxin is defined as a highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct in some manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching. It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant.